Comic Relief Local Communities – Core Strength

8 February, 2018

This grant programme is open for applications.

Opening Date:

22nd January 2018 , 9:00 am

Closing Date:

15th February 2018 , 12:00 pm

Maximum grant awarded:

£10,000

What is the Comic Relief Local Communities Grants Core Strength Programme?
This programme is responding to the growing need of small locally led groups to cover their day to day costs. The aim is to provide funding for groups’ core costs – meaning expenditure that is not connected to delivering projects but focusing on investing in the organisation as a whole, such as basic running costs. We know securing core funding can be tough and want to use this programme to help support those doing much needed work in their local communities.

People living in areas of disadvantage or who face social issues often get vital support from smaller local groups based within their communities. It is these locally based groups that truly understand the needs of the people they serve and make a huge difference to their lives.

However, recent research shows that small and medium sized organisations across the UK are being hit particularly hard by the current economic climate, forcing many to either scale back or dissolve completely. These organisations urgently need core funding to continue their crucial work. There are still many communities in the UK that work in areas of economic and social deprivation and disadvantage and the current economic climate may make this situation worse.

Comic Relief want to recognise the importance of local community organisations and the pivotal role they play across the UK. That is why they have developed this exciting programme to fund organisational costs only and not direct project delivery – Comic Relief hope this goes some way to help ensure organisations continue to sustain themselves and support their local communities.

What can you apply for?
A grant shall be used to support groups that can evidence a sustained beneficial impact on people’s lives who are excluded or disadvantaged – this may be through low income, rural or social isolation, age, disabilities, race, sexuality or gender. Priority is to be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these needs.

To be considered for funding you will need to:

Be working in a disadvantaged or deprived area

Have limited access to other sources of income

Clearly define the need you are addressing

Clearly demonstrate the benefit of your activities to local people

Illustrate how you aim to deliver social outcomes

Provide clear evidence that your services provided are inclusive to all

Who can apply?
You must be a locally led and based organisation (based and working in Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire). This means you are based within the area you are carrying out activities and have local people involved in the running of the organisation. As such we accept applications from the voluntary and community sector including:

Constituted voluntary and community group

Charities

Social enterprises

Co-operatives

Community interest companies

Your organisation will need to have been running activities for a minimum of 12 months, and your annual income must be £100,000 or under for your last full financial year. You will need to provide your accounts to prove this.

Organisations which have received a Community Cash grant or any other grant from a Community Foundation can apply for a Local Communities grant. However, organisations which hold a grant directly from Comic Relief, cannot apply for a Local Communities Grant.